A Curtin University researcher will create a revolutionary new eye gel therapy that seeks to stop children from going blind from inherited retinal diseases.
Dr Susbin Wagle from Curtin Medical School has been awarded $429,000 in total for the project after winning a prestigious 2025 Early-Career Child Health Researcher Fellowship, a co-funded partnership between the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund of WA, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and BrightSpark Foundation.
Inherited retinal diseases are genetic eye conditions which often cause blindness in children and are estimated to affect more than 2 million people globally.
The diseases develop from gene mutations however the loss of vision is exacerbated by "oxidative stress", a build-up of harmful molecules which damage the eye's cells.
While gene therapies are being developed, they are expensive, require invasive surgery and aren't always successful.
More than 270 genes can cause inherited retinal diseases, but only one approved gene therapy exists – meaning most children have no treatment options.
Working with research supervisor, Dr Hani Al-Salami, Dr Wagle's project aims to develop a new kind of eye gel to protect the retina safely and painlessly, using a new antioxidant drug called HA1 which was invented at Curtin University.
"HA1 has been redesigned from a human-based bile acid to be better absorbed by the body, reach deeper into eye tissues and better protect cells from oxidative stress," Dr Wagle said.
"Early results show HA1 can protect retinal cells and keep their energy systems working.
"This funding will allow us to take the next steps to perfect the eye gel formula, test its safety and efficacy and gather the evidence needed to move toward clinical trials."
Curtin Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said the project demonstrated the real-world impact of the University's research.
"Developing a treatment to help slow or prevent blindness in children would have a positive impact on a global scale," Professor Fitzgerald said.
"This research is an excellent example of how Curtin scientists are translating world-class discovery into practical solutions and reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes through innovation, collaboration and impact-driven research."
